Helping Birds recover from stereotypic behavior is a true miracle, an honor. Each case is completely unique, just like a fingerprint. It takes months (sometimes even years) of hard work, you have to get to know the Bird better than you know yourself. Every breath, every head movement, every look in the eye, every trigger must be understood deeply. During therapy, the Bird goes everywhere I go (yes, really!) They sleep right by my side (in a safe cage) so that if they become worried & engage in stereotypic behavior, I’m there to comfort them.
We find ‘the key’ together. The way in to their remarkable soul, the true them beneath the behavior loops. It can be anything from being told they are loved to music to silly stories to enrichment, I work with them to find the way in. They then show a little spark, let me see the Birds I know they are. We then build on this slowly until they, over many months, recover. Old behaviors get replaced by healthy ones (some stereotypic behavior can remain in Birds who have been this way for a long time, but still they get happy again).
In some cases, the Bird may not want to be with other Birds & this is respected, but often what they desire more than anything else is a friend like them. This was the case with Eve (pictured). When she was free of stereotypic behavior for 2 weeks, we began the introduction. I very carefully selected the right group of Budgies for her, the right mate. She was to bond (hopefully!) with Heaven, a very gentle, loving Budgie & they would then move into a large cage with 2 other Budgies. They had all been trying to get to each other across the room, this was the best sign that it’s what all 4 wanted!
Having been their soul mate, their constant, I then have to gradually step back & introduce the other Bird. This is a very emotional step, but always, what is best for them happens, it’s not about me. Heaven was put into Eve’s cage & there wasn’t even initial squabbling. It wasn’t instant love, but it was instant friendship. After 3 days together, they were put into the large cage with Cheeky & Lux (the other 2 Budgies). Again, there was no issue, it’s like they had always been together. Gradually, if Eve was unsure, she would look at Heaven, not at me. Our relationship changed from that moment, she was ready to step forth into her new life. I would always be her mummy, but never again would I be her only comfort. & that’s just the way it should be.
This process is so gradual & you are so invested, that it can be hard to realize just how far they have come. Then there are moments when it suddenly strikes you. Over a year after the introduction, I was watching this group play happily. Eve was in the middle of the excited chaos, completely carefree, happy, whole. She was singing, bouncing her head, stretching her wings, flying around, playing on her swing, preening her friends, being preened by her friends & was asking to be fed, which both Heaven & Cheeky were only too happy to do. She was so alive, her behavior so relaxed & at ease as she effortlessly showed off to the boys. That was it, that was the moment I realized…
We’ve done it, she’s home!